About the project

1. From exclusion to part of the solution: making HIV/AIDS programs inclusive of people with disabilities in Tanzania

2. About the project • The Tanzania disability survey (2008) shows that 8% of Tanzanians experience some type of disability. World Report (2010) shows 15%. • HIV infection rate among PwDs was 9% compared to 7% for the general population. • There are a number of HIV/AIDS projects in Tanzania, but none of them were focusing on people with disabilities as a vulnerable group.

3. About the project • People with disability face communication, attitudinal and environmental barriers in accessing HIV/AIDS service and information. • CBM and CCBRT implemented a three year HIV/AIDS and Disability Project funded by PEPFAR thru HRSA from February, 2009. • 15 key districts in Tanzania included in the project.

4. There are 300,000 people with disabilities between 15-64 years of agein the 15 districts

5. Project objectives • Review of government HIV/AIDS policies and VCT/CTC guidelines • Improve access and demand among PwDs for HIV/AIDS information and services • Build the capacity of health care providers to provide HIV/AIDS services to PWDs • Improve access to sexual and reproductive health education for youth with disabilities. • Share best practices

6. Inclusive HIV/AIDS Services and information Twin Track Approach People with disabilities as central Comprehensive Accessibility Human Rights Accountability Express Linkages to Rights Non Discrimination & Attention to vulnerable group Empowerment Participation

7. The role of the government • Project Planning • Baseline study of HIV/AIDS and disability • Idea generation for project proposal • Project start up activities • Community entry - The gov. provided transport and staff Cosmos experience • Implementation of the project • The gov took over the review of guidelines

8. The role of the government • Provided curriculum, cooperated to develop training manuals, experts and certification in training of • Peer Educators, Deaf Counselors, Health care providers, Rehab staff and teachers • Provided testing and counseling to people with disabilities • Provided curriculum development experts for the revision of health curriculum in special education. (Kaspar’s experience)

9. The role of SHIVYAWATA (DPO) • Guided the project in working with people with disabilities including: • Identification of peer educators and deaf counselors • Development of disability inclusive IEC • Identification of sign language interpreters • Identification of sign language trainers • Key member of the Project Steering Committee • Participated in the monitoring of the project • Sensitized member DPOs on project activities

10. Training • Health care center staff • Teachers • Rehabilitation workers • Parents of children with disabilities • Peer educators • Counselors who are Deaf Ryoba’s experience

11. Peer education • 139 People with disabilities across the 15 districts trained and undertaking peer education regarding HIV/AIDS • Rehema’s reflections

12. Counseling • 45 people who are Deaf trained using government curriculum as counselors • Neema’s reflections

13. Results • Government VCT/CTC guidelines reviewed and inclusive of people with disabilities • @ 45,000 people with disabilities reached through awareness raising               • @ 8,500 individuals with disabilities accessed counseling and testing services • 71 health centers in 15 districts are now accessible. • Peer education across 15 Districts

14. THANK YOU